MNRE Issues Policy To Repower Wind Turbines Below 2MW Capacity

MNRE Issues Policy To Repower Wind Turbines Below 2MW Capacity

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued its Wind Repowering and Life Extension Policy for wind projects. The ministry said that the initiative will likely boost the potential of wind energy generation from old and inefficient wind power projects by modifying the wind turbine structures (repowering).

As per the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), the country has a total repowering potential of around 25.4 GW, considering the wind turbines below the capacity of 2MW. The ministry notification said several older and less efficient wind projects were erected at low altitudes, and smaller blades are positioned at India’s best wind sites. It is also said that many of them have reached the end of their life cycle.

Data from the NIWE said that several wind power projects in India lie between 0.5 MW to 2 MW. On the other hand, in the last few years, technological advancements have allowed the development of 3 MW wind turbines (by Suzlon) and the accreditation of even 5 MW wind turbines by Adani Renewables. The new move will likely phase out the smaller turbines and replace them with the big ones. India’s wind capacity currently stands at 44.29 GW by the end of October 2023. 

MNRE’s Repowering norms 

As per the MNRE’s latest repowering policy, wind turbines below the 2MW capacity will be eligible for such projects. In addition, all wind turbines that do not comply with the ministry’s quality control order or have completed their design life will be eligible for wind repowering. 

Also, the policy empowers the project owners to repower based on commercial/voluntary consideration after 15 years of installation. The ministry said that post-repowering, the annual energy generation of the repowered/refurbished wind project should be enhanced by at least 1.5 times. The ministry has allowed standalone projects and aggregation projects for repowering. The norms said the wind generators would be free to sell the additional power generated to any third party. The discoms with whom the generators have PPAs will not have the right to purchase, nor will they have an obligation to do so. However, the power generators will have to intimate the discoms one year before the commencement of the repowering process.

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The MNRE said that to undertake the repowering projects, the developers must submit their Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the concerned State Nodal Agencies of the Central Nodal Agency. The ministry also proposed setting up a Steering Committee to oversee the repowering process in the country. 

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